Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 23 (NIV)
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
What dark valleys do you walk through now?
Lord, I am not only in a dark valley right now, I am crawling on my knees in the dirt in that valley. I am crushed on all sides with the Covid lockdowns and the financial destitution they cause, isolation and the depression that they cause, and with people getting ill, some hospitalized or worse that causes uncertainty and fear. Then to see the country and institutions that I value crumble from corruption, lies, cheating, censorship, and malicious plans. I can’t fathom that in this country a group would resort to violence that destroys individuals’ homes, businesses, and communities demanding power and soliciting fear only to demonize the very people who put themselves in danger to protect us. I believed in our freedoms, I believed in our opportunities I believed in the integrity of the leaders. I believed that this country would persevere and provide a safe harbor from the other countries that acted with corruption, censorship, and violence. Lord, I don’t understand Your plan. I am confident that You are working to expose the dark evil, to protect the innocent unborn, and to show Your power to the world. I am grasping on to Your promises. I am trusting You with all that I have right now. I am still in Your presence and You refresh my soul. Your spirit comforts me. I pray that You guide me on the path of righteousness. Your guidance is peace. Help me to discern Your will and don’t allow me to overreact so that I do things that will ultimately hurt my relationship with others, with You or interfere with Your plan. I will fear no evil because You are with me. I shall walk in Your peace and dwell in Your house forever.